PHIL 201 Introduction to Ethics Course Outline

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National Taiwan University of Science and Technology

2021 Winter Program

PHIL 201 Introduction to Ethics

Course Outline

Course Code: PHIL 201

Instructor: Dimiter Kirilov

Home Institution: George Washington University

Office Hours: TBA

Email: [email protected]

Credits: 4

Course description This is an online class. The goals and expected outcomes of this course are three-fold: a) that students acquire the ability to critically analyze arguments; b) that students become persuasive reasoners capable of developing their own arguments; and c) that students are able to present and critically analyse arguments about applied ethics (e.g. is abortion, torture, or drug legalization morally permissible?), normative ethics (e.g utilitarian ethics, social contract theory, and Kantian ethics), and metaethics (e.g. what is a right? What does it mean to be a person?). The means of achieving these goals are through reading, summarizing, analysing, and debating arguments. Prerequisites The course is designed for students who have little or no knowledge/background in logic, philosophy, or ethics. Accordingly, the course will begin by introducing students to basic moral concepts and to the basic principles of reasoning that are used to distinguish between good and bad reasoning. Students will acquire the ability to express their ideas clearly and concisely, enlarge their capacity to understand the relationship between premises and conclusions, and increase their skill in determining when arguments succeed or fail to establish their conclusions. Classin course site There is a course site set up for this class. Anyone enrolled in the class should automatically


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have access to this site. On this site you will find the course syllabus, video lectures, assignments, discussion forums, and slides from class lectures. Please check this site regularly as I will regularly post announcements regarding the class such as: class, section, or office hours cancellations; changes in the readings or lecture schedule; reminders about upcoming exams; clarification of issues that arose in lectures, etc. Classin orientation If you have any questions regarding Classin, please check Classin support . You will find it extremely useful: https://www.classin.com/en/support.html?kind=function&aid=1327 Class format a) 6 hours of recorded video lectures per week b) 10 instructor office hours online (MW 8:00-9:00) c) 10 TA discussion sessions online (MW 9:00-10:00) Average amount of learning time outside the classroom per week Students are expected to devote about 4 hours of learning time per day distributed as follows: a) 3 hours reading the assigned reading for the day b) 1/2 hour doing homework assignments c) 1/2 hour participating on the discussion board Course textbook There will be no course textbook. Instead, all readings will be online and/or provided by the instructor Learning objectives and outcomes a) Students will acquire the ability to critically analyze arguments; b) Students will become persuasive reasoners capable of developing their own arguments; c) Students will be able to present and critically analyse arguments about abortion, torture, drug legalization, utilitarian ethics, social contract theory, Kantian ethics, and metaethics; and d) Students will be able to write a well thought-out, college level philosophy paper that presents and critically analyzes a position and contains an original and well-reasoned argument about the position. Email a) Students are responsible for checking emails frequently. Students are responsible for


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making sure that the email address on file is their primary one; b) Put “PHIL201” in the subject line of any email you send (e.g., “Subject: PHIL201 question about Kant”); c) Please make sure that your full name appears somewhere in each message (preferably at the end of the message); d) You will be fully responsible for the results of failure to follow these simple instructions. Grading: a) Your total course grade will be determined based on the following: Participation 10% daily Mid-term exam 20% W3, T HW assignments 20% see course schedule Final paper 25% W4, Fri Final exam 25% W4, Fri b) Grade scale: A+:4.3——95-100

A :4.0——87-94

A-:3.7——82-86

B+:3.3——78-81

B :3.0——75-77

B -:2.7——71-74

C+:2.3——68-70

C :2.0——65-67

C -:1.7——61-64

D :1.0——55-60

E :0.0——49-54

X :0.0——0

Participation:

a) Participation is 10% of your overall grade b) I expect that each class a student makes makes at least two contributions and

responses to other students’ contributions. To get 100% for your participation grade you need 40 contributions + responses

c) Discussion during lecture and on the course website will help you and your


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classmates to understand the material better and relate it with issues not covered in class. It will also train a skill that you will be learning this semester--to present and critically analyze arguments.

d) Students who have anxiety of speaking during class should contact the instructor in the first 2 days of the course. They will be offered to write a paper in lieu of class participation. The instructor will provide the paper assignment. If the students do not contact the instructor within the first 2 days, then they are responsible for their participation grade as measured via class participation.

e) Students with 40 or above contributions and responses may be bumped up, if their course grade is borderline

f) A “substantial contribution” includes:

i) Asking an original question; ii) Presenting an argument of your own, relevant to that day’s material;

iii) Developing a criticism of an argument that has been described in the lecture; iv) Drawing an interesting and relevant analogy to something else in the course or

in popular culture; v) Clarifying an issue that was raised in the lecture, readings, or discussion that

you think might be unclear and important; and vi) Any other contributions the instructor agrees are relevant.

vii) Warning: you will get credit based on the insight, relevance, and frequency of your participation.

g) You can receive a maximum of two participation points per meeting with me during office hours

Midterm exam:

a) The midterm exam is 20% of your overall grade b) The midterm exam is due on W3, T c) The midterm exam will test your comprehension of material presented in the

readings, lectures, and HW assignments d) The midterm exam will contain about 20 true/false and multiple choice questions and

about 3 short answer questions. The quantity of questions is subject to change. Final exam:

a) The final exam is 25% of your overall grade b) The final term exam is on W4, Fri c) The final exam will be partially cumulative: it will test your comprehension of the

logic part of this course together with material presented after the midterm exam d) The final exam will test your comprehension of material presented in the readings,

lectures, and HW assignments e) The final exam will contain about 30 true/false and multiple choice questions and

about 4 short answer questions. The quantity of questions is subject to change. Homework assignments:


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a) The HW assignments are 20% of your overall grade. b) There will be 10 HW assignments (see course schedule) and will consist of multiple

choice questions and occasionally a short answer question c) The HW assignments will test your comprehension of material presented in the

readings and lectures d) If you wish to succeed in this course, you must keep up with the readings and

lectures, and do the HW assignments. The course material is cumulative and will get more difficult as we go along. To help you keep up, you will be expected to hand in completed homework assignments.

Final paper:

a) The final paper is 25% of your overall grade b) The final paper is due on W4, Fri c) The paper must be around 1500 words. d) You will receive the paper assignment on W3, Wed e) You will be tasked with:

i) Picking a position on one of the topics discussed and stating it as your thesis;

ii) Presenting an argument for your thesis (could be one that has been discussed in class) (between 250-500 words);

iii) Presenting a considered objection to your argument (could be one that has been discussed in class) (between 250-500 words);

iv) Presenting a response to the considered objection (could be one that has been discussed in class) (between 250-500 words); and

v) Having an original contribution in your your paper. An original contribution consists of giving an argument, objection, and/or rebuttal that you have come up with on your own

vi) Your paper will be evaluated on the basis of clarity, how strong the argument, objections, and responses are, and the quality of your original contribution. When the paper shows excellent clarity, structure, and understanding of the material, but poor original contribution, then the student would get at most a B. Outside research is not required. If you do outside research, it is strongly suggested that you check with me on your understanding of the relevant material. It is strongly suggested that you make a paper outline and come and discuss it with me. I will accept paper outlines until Week 4, Friday, 06/26.

Class policies:

a) Assignment completion: You are expected to read all the lectures and the reading materials, complete and submit all the assignments on time, and participate in the class discussions. You will not be able to pass the course if you have failed to complete one of the assignments for the course.

b) Preparation: I expect you to come to class prepared, meaning that you have read the assigned reading material and given lots of thought about it. Reading philosophy is a very challenging task. You will often have to read the material more than once to understand the presented argument. And this cannot be done overnight.


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c) Attendance: I will take attendance, since if you are not attending, you cannot participate in class discussions. Note that attendance will be taken to determine who can get credit for participating on the course website

d) Late work: there will be a penalty of 1/3 letter grade (e.g. from A to an A-) for each calendar day late. The penalty will be waived in the case of religious holidays (students should notify the instructor during the first week of the semester of their intention to be absent from class on their day(s) of religious observance) and documented medical or family emergencies.

e) Make-up exams: Make-up exams are permitted in the case of religious holidays (requires notification at least a week in advance) and documented medical or family emergencies.

f) Extra credit: There will be no opportunities for extra credit. g) Timeliness: It is your responsibility to submit your work on time. If you are finishing

a homework assignment at the last minute, and something goes wrong—the internet connection doesn’t work, your printer suddenly stopped printing, you run out of the printer toner, or whatever—that’s one way an assignment can end up being late. “My internet didn’t work,” “something went wrong with my printer,” etc., will not count. Please plan ahead and submit your work on time.

h) Needing a grade: Also, the fact that you “need” a certain grade is not a reason for giving it to you. I will give you an ‘A’ only if you earn an ‘A’; if you earn a ‘C’ and “need” a ‘B’, it is not my concern. The integrity of the grading process, the course and, indeed, the UMD depends on instructors and students understanding this distinction. If you need help, let me know. I’ll do what I can within reason, and dealing with problems early can help a lot.

i) Unsubmitted assignments: Failure to complete an assignment will result in your receiving no points (a zero) for that assignment. You cannot pass the class without submitting all the required assignments.

j) Contesting a grade: If you wish to contest your grade on an exam, you must do so within one week of that assignment’s being graded and made available to you.

k) Evaluation: You will be evaluated based on the quality of your work and not on the effort exerted. Some assignments will test comprehension; others will test your ability to present ideas clearly, or critically analyze an argument and demonstrate reflection. Some students may need to work much harder than other students to get the same grade. Nevertheless, I grade the work and not the student.

l) Decorum: It should go without saying that the proper level of decorum is expected in class. Attention should be paid to whoever is speaking. Listening to music, reading newspapers, and using your phones and/or computers for anything but note-taking during lectures do not create a good impression of you and may hurt your chances of getting a boost of your grade if it is on a borderline. Cynicisms and inappropriate comments will not be tolerated.

m) Incompletes: An incomplete will only be awarded if the following three conditions are met:

i) The student asks for it;

ii) The student has completed 85% of the assigned work, which is to include the mid-term exam; and

iii) The student has encountered documented family or medical emergency that


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the instructor agrees will prevent the student from finishing the course

n) Writing: Writing is an essential tool for thinking and communicating in virtually every profession. Therefore, in this course I expect you to produce writing that is not only thoughtful and accurate, but also organized, clear, and consistent with the rules of Standard English. If your writing does not meet these standards, I may deduct points or ask you to revise.

o) Academic integrity:

i) There are four types of academic dishonesty: cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes dishonesty of these four types. Please consult #### or speak to the instructor if you would like any clarification (e.g., regarding what constitutes plagiarism);

ii) I take incidents of academic dishonesty very seriously. I will forward to #### any cases of it that come to my attention.

Schedule (Readings might be altered as the course progresses. If there are any changes, they will be announced in class.) 0. Introduction

W1, Mon

0.1. Introduction to course

Assigned reading/viewing: Course syllabus; Lecture on deductive arguments

Video lecture on deductive arguments

Activities:

1. Read the syllabus

2. Begin reading the lecture on deductive arguments

3. Begin viewing the recordings on deductive arguments

1. Arguments and Introduction to Abortion

W1, Mon

1.1. Deductive and Inductive Arguments

Assigned reading/viewing: Lectures on deductive and inductive arguments

Video lectures on deductive and inductive arguments

Activities:

1. Finish reading the lectures on deductive and inductive arguments

2. Finish viewing the recordings on deductive and inductive arguments

3. Do HW1 on deductive arguments


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W1, T

1.2. Abductive arguments and Introduction to Abortion

Assigned reading/viewing: Lectures on abductive arguments and abortion

Video lectures on abductive arguments and abortion; Pope John Paul II, “The Unspeakable Crime of Abortion”

Activities:

1. Do HW2 on inductive arguments

2. Finish reading the lectures on abductive arguments and abortion

3. Finish viewing the recordings on abductive arguments and abortion

W1, Wed

1.3. Warren on the permissibility of abortion

Assigned reading/viewing:

Lecture on Warren on the permissibility of abortion;

Video lecture on Warren on the permissibility of abortion; Warren, “On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion”

Activities:

1. Do HW3 on abductive arguments

2. Read the lecture on Warren on the permissibility of abortion

3. View the recordings on Warren on the permissibility of abortion

W1, Tr

1.3. Warren on the permissibility of abortion


Lecture on Warren on the permissibility of abortion;

Video lecture on Warren on the permissibility of abortion; Warren, “On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion”

Activities:

1. Do HW4 on abortion

2. Read the lecture on Warren on the permissibility of abortion

3. View the recordings on Warren on the permissibility of abortion

W1, Fri 1.4. Discussion section

Activities:

1. Prepare questions about the material covered and ask them to your TA

2. Utilitarianism

W2, Mon

2.1. Mill’s Utilitarianism and Williams’s critique of Utilitarianism

Assigned reading/viewing: Lecture on utilitarianism; Video lecture on utilitarianism; Mill, “Utilitarianism”

https://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/mill1863.pdf; Williams’s “A Critique of Utilitarianism”

http://homepage.westmont.edu/hoeckley/PHI006SP12/documents/Williams.pdf

Activities:

1. Begin reading the lecture on utilitarianism

2. Begin viewing the recordings on utilitarianism

3. Read the assigned reading: Mill, “Utilitarianism”; Williams’s “A Critique of Utilitarianism”


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W2, T

2.2. Peter Singer’s argument for the obligation to provide famine relief

Assigned reading:

Singer’s “Famine, Affluence, and Morality”

http://personal.lse.ac.uk/robert49/teaching/mm/articles/Singer_1972Famine.pdf

Activities:

1. Read the assigned reading: Singer’s “Famine, Affluence, and Morality”

3. Social Contract theory

W2, Wed

3.1. Hobbes’s social contract theory

Assigned reading/viewing: Lecture on social contract theory; Video lecture on social contract theory; Hobbes’s “Leviathan. Part 2. Commonwealth”

http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/hobbes1651part2.pdf

Activities:

1. Do HW5 on Utilitarianism

2. Begin reading the lecture on social contract theory

3. Begin viewing the recordings on social contract theory

4. Read the assigned reading: Hobbes’s “Leviathan. Part 2. Commonwealth”

W2, Tr 3.2. Socialism


Nielsen: “A Moral Case for Socialism”

Activities:

1. Read the lecture on socialism

2. View the recording on socialism

3. Read the assigned reading: Nielsen: “A Moral Case for Socialism”


Activities:


W3, Mon Review

Assigned reading: Review sheet for the Midterm exam

Activities:

1. Do HW6 on Social contract theory

2. Read the review sheet for the Midterm exam and look over the lectures and HWs

3. Prepare questions about the review sheet and ask them


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W3, T Midterm exam

Activities:

1. Take the Midterm exam

W3, Wed Final paper class


Lecture on the final paper assignment; Recording on the final paper assignment

Activities:

1. Read the lecture on the final paper assignment

2. View the recording on the final paper assignment

4. Kant’s duty ethics

W3, Tr 4.1. Kant’s Duty Ethics


Lecture on Kant’s duty ethics; Video lecture on Kant’s duty ethics; Kant’s "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals"

https://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/kant1785.pdf

Activities:

1. Begin reading the lecture on Kant’s duty ethics

2. Begin viewing the recordings on Kant’s duty ethics

3. Read: Kant’s "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals"


Activities:


W4, Mon

4.3. Kant’s Duty Ethics


Lecture on Kant’s duty ethics; Video lecture on Kant’s duty ethics; Kant’s "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals"

https://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/kant1785.pdf

Activities:

1. Finish reading the lecture on Kant’s duty ethics

2. Finish viewing the recordings on Kant’s duty ethics

3. Read: Kant’s "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals"

5. Metaethics


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W4, Tue

5.1. Mackie’s argument against objective values

Assigned reading/viewing: Lecture on metaethics; Video lecture on metaethics; Mackie’s “Inventing Right and Wrong”

https://spot.colorado.edu/~pasnau/fysm/mackie.pdf

Activities:

1. Do HW7 on Kant’s duty ethics

2. Begin reading the lecture on metaethics

3. Begin viewing the recordings on metaethics

4. Read: Mackie’s “Inventing Right and Wrong”

W4, Wed

5.2. Mackie’s argument against objective values


Lecture on metaethics; Video lecture on metaethics; Mackie’s “Inventing Right and Wrong”

https://spot.colorado.edu/~pasnau/fysm/mackie.pdf

Activities:

1. Finish reading the lecture on metaethics

2. Finish viewing the recordings on metaethics

3. Read: Mackie’s “Inventing Right and Wrong”

W4, Tr Review Assigned reading: Review sheet for the Final exam

Activities:

1. Do HW8 on metaethics

2. Read the review sheet for the Final exam and look over the lectures and HWs

3. Prepare questions about the review sheet and ask them in class

W4, Fri Final exam

Activities:

1. Take the Final exam

2. Submit the Final paper

PHIL 201 Introduction to Ethics Course Outline

Documents

Transcript of PHIL 201 Introduction to Ethics Course Outline